Hue needs an attractive night tour.

Hue has no shortage of tourists, nor does it lack the potential to develop its night-time economy. However, after 10 PM, the city almost completely shuts down its activities, leaving a lasting void in the visitor's experience...

Hue is trying to expand its services to cater to tourists as night falls.

No more "sleep early," but lack of destinations.

For many years, Hue has remained a familiar destination for tourists seeking tranquility and cultural depth. During the day, the city offers a variety of options, including visiting historical sites, experiencing the Perfume River, enjoying local cuisine , learning about local life, and participating in eco-tours.

However, when night falls, after 10 PM, where to go and what to see remains a difficult question for tourists visiting Hue . In reality, Hue today no longer "goes to sleep early" as it used to.

Several initiatives such as pedestrian streets, night markets, art performances, and riverside services have been implemented. The Imperial Citadel at night used to be open, but it didn't cater to popular tastes and closed soon after; it has only recently reopened. On many streets, shops and restaurants also stay open later.

However, these activities remain fragmented and lack cohesion. A tourist from Hanoi said that when visiting Hue, he wanted a more relaxed experience. After finishing his daytime activities, he still wanted a place to stroll, sit down, and further appreciate the city.

However, he didn't have many options, stating, "The peaceful atmosphere of the city is something we can feel along the way. But before that, we need a destination to decide to leave the hotel."

A group of South Korean tourists shared a similar sentiment. They appreciated the tranquility and unique atmosphere of Hue, but felt that activities almost ceased as night fell. What they needed wasn't noisy entertainment, but rather cultural experiences and spaces where they could further explore Hue.

Ho Nam, a young tourist from Ho Chi Minh City, was used to going out late at night, so when he arrived in Hue, he didn't know where to go. "Hue has beer bars that stay open late, but I didn't come to Hue to drink beer."

"In Ho Chi Minh City, those experiences are more numerous and vibrant," he said. These not-so-unique observations show that, despite changes, Hue still lacks a sufficiently diverse nightlife service system to extend tourists' stays and spending.

According to Le Nhat Quang, a tour guide, a noticeable limitation in Hue is that there isn't yet a single area that has truly become a distinct nighttime destination. "Each place does a part of it, but it's not enough to create a truly attractive spot. Tourists might participate in one activity, but then they don't have any other options," he said.

According to Ms. Tran Thi Hoai Tram, Director of the City's Department of Tourism, nighttime tourism activities in Hue are currently fragmented, lacking coordination, and have not yet developed into products strong enough to retain tourists.

Developing the night-time economy is a necessity in the current context, aiming to extend the length of stay and increase spending by tourists. Furthermore, Hue's night-time urban space is not yet comprehensively organized.

In many areas, the lighting, transportation, accompanying services, and security infrastructure are not designed to support nighttime activities, disrupting the experience. Another factor is the cautious mindset towards development.

This has long been a characteristic of Hue, helping to preserve its identity but also slowing down the experimentation with new models. In the context of a night-time economy that demands flexibility and experimentation, this caution has become a somewhat of a barrier.

Let's start from one point.

In the current context, developing Hue's night-time economy requires a different approach compared to other major tourist cities. The city lacks the advantages of scale and is not suited to noisy entertainment models. According to some economists, if Hue were to follow those models, it would be difficult for the city to create its own unique identity.

Therefore, the appropriate direction is to develop in depth, based on existing cultural values.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Dong Phuong, a businesswoman involved in building and developing Hue's cultural heritage, believes that Hue should not spread its resources thinly across many small-scale models, but instead focus on building a nighttime destination that is strong enough to create a unique highlight.

Hue's advantage lies in its cultural depth, therefore its night-time economy needs to be organized in a streamlined and selective manner.

With a clearly defined focal point, tourists will have a specific direction for their nighttime journey, from which other activities can develop, creating an ecosystem. Central areas, connected to existing spatial axes such as riverside areas, pedestrian streets, or places with a high concentration of tourists, are advantageous.

However, the core issue isn't about "adding more," but about how the experience is organized. Hue's night-time economy can start with small and medium-sized models that have depth, such as art performances, cultural storytelling spaces, redesigned pedestrian walkways, or well-organized food courts. These activities need to be linked together to create a continuous stream of experiences.

Following the directive of the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, Nguyen Khac Toan, the city is increasing investment in services to extend the length of stay of tourists.

Simultaneously, infrastructure needs to be upgraded comprehensively, from lighting and landscaping to transportation and security, to ensure a safe and convenient environment. The role of businesses also needs to be enhanced through mechanisms that encourage investment and increase the diversity of services.

Furthermore, Hue City has a very valuable policy opportunity: It is one of the 10 localities selected by the Government to pilot the night-time economy model according to Decision No. 1129/QD-TTg, with service operating hours that can extend until 6 am the following day at suitable tourist destinations.

In reality, tourists visiting Hue are not looking for noise and crowds. What they need is a reason to leave their hotel after dark. This could be to take a stroll, enjoy the local cuisine, watch a performance, or simply sit in a safe, culturally rich space—or, in other words, a place with something to offer.

Therefore, for Hue, developing the night-time economy is not about creating something entirely new, but about reorganizing what already exists in a more efficient way.

DUONG QUANG TIEN

Source: https://nhandan.vn/hue-can-mot-hanh-trinh-dem-hap-dan-post952330.html